News

Kim Kardashian snapchatted a phone conversation that took place between her husband, Kanye West, and Taylor Swift. Amongst the social media firestorm, questions have been raised over whether privacy laws were violated when Kim and Kanye recorded the conversation without informing Taylor. California, where the recording took place, is a two-party consent state, meaning any […]

The Michigan State Police is in the process of choosing five counties to run a one-year pilot program for saliva-based testing to check drivers for drugs like marijuana, heroin and cocaine [1]. Officers will determine whether or not a driver is under the influence as part of a 12-step evaluation [2]. Other tests done will […]

Santa Monica recently passed some of the nation’s toughest regulations on short-term rentals, and just convicted Airbnb host Scott Shatford of failing to comply with citations after he refused to stop renting out his properties [1]. “Part of the reason for the anti-vacation statute is to make sure that the housing stock is not impacted […]

In Clarkston, Georgia a hard-fought local ordinance amendment will weaken penalties for simple possession of an ounce or less of marijuana. The amendment will change the penalty to a maximum $75 fine [1]. Clarkston is the first city in Georgia to decriminalize the use and possession of marijuana, which is still illegal under state law [2]. […]

Oakland County One-Fifteen News reported that the City Council of Ferndale, Michigan voted to remove criminal history questions from employment applications [1]. For people who have criminal records, finding decent jobs can be next to impossible. It does not matter if a person with a conviction has truly turned their life around, they must still […]

The Supreme Court has ruled that evidence found by police officers after illegal stops may be used in court if the officers conducted their search after learning the defendants had outstanding arrest warrants. This decision came after a 5 to 3 vote, where the majority side determined that such searches do not violate the Fourth […]

RFL Attorney Stephanie Fakih recently appeared on the CW50 show Street Beat to discuss the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act; an Act that allows youthful criminal offenders in Michigan to plead guilty in exchange for the opportunity to keep their criminal record clean. Watch Stephanie’s appearance and learn more about HYTA here.

Under current Michigan law, not all crimes can be expunged from a criminal record. Crimes carrying a maximum penalty of life in prison cannot be removed from a criminal record. Misdemeanor drunk driving crimes are also ineligible for expungement in Michigan. Even if your conviction is eligible for an expungement, under new Michigan law, an […]

Under new Michigan law, an individual may expunge one felony or up to two misdemeanor convictions from their criminal record. In order to get an expungement in Michigan, you must file an application to set aside your conviction. After filing the application and verifying your expungement eligibility, a hearing will be held where a judge […]

Rights First Law attorney Stephanie Fakih spoke to the Michigan Oakland Press to discuss the recent expansion to the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA). HYTA offers youthful offenders in Michigan a second chance at a clear criminal record in exchange for a guilty plea. Read more from Stephanie and learn about the expansion to HYTA here.